Blue Bulls flyhalf Boshoff adamant the Currie Cup still has an important role to play in SA

By Mahlatse Mphahlele - 15 August 2018 - 15:52

Jean-Luc du Preez of the Cell C Sharks tackled by Marnitz Boshoff and Ivan van Zyl of the Vodacom Blue Bulls during the Currie Cup Semi Final match between Cell C Sharks and Vodacom Blue Bulls at Growthpoint Kings Park on October 21, 2017 in Durban, South Africa. Image: Steve Haag/ Gallo Images

There is no doubt that the Currie Cup has lost its shine over the past few years but veteran Blue Bulls flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff is adamant that the competition still has an important role to play in the development of rugby in SA.

But the fact is the Currie Cup has seen a significant drop in attendances as the competition is deprived of star players‚ with many of them electing to play overseas at the conclusion of their Super Rugby and Springboks commitments rather than stick around.

“For me‚ Currie Cup is close to my heart‚” Boshoff said at Loftus as they prepared for the season opener against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday night.

“It is a valuable competition in South Africa because it gives youngsters opportunities to prove themselves.

"Back in the day you had big name players playing in the competition but with all the youngsters it is going to be an exciting tournament.

“People say that this tournament has died but I don’t think so because it remains the premier competition of South African rugby.

"This is where a lot of the future stars start their journeys.

"We have a young squad and they will get an opportunity to showcase their talents.

"When I was with the Lions in 2015‚ I played Currie Cup and there is nothing that beats that feeling‚” continued Boshoff‚ who played one Test for the Springboks in 2014.

The Bulls' Super Rugby coach John Mitchell will be involved with the juniors during the tournament.

Pote Human has been given the responsibility of coaching the team and Boshoff believes they have the right material to do well.

“Our squad is young but we also have a couple of guys who have played Currie Cup before‚" Boshoff said.

"It is about the youngsters buying into the plan that coach has put in place with regards to the way he wants us to play.

"If we achieve that‚ I think we will have a good chance of doing well in the competition.”

“We have lost a couple of players to Japan and to the Springboks.

"But this is an opportunity for this group of players to play for their future and if they channel their energies in the right places we will be a force to be reckoned with this season.”

Boshoff will miss the season opener as he recovers from a knee injury but he is hoping to be fit in their next match against the Sharks in Durban next weekend.

“It is a massive frustration for me not to be part of the team at the start of the season due to injury‚" he said.

"I have been out for a couple of weeks now.

"The target was to make it this weekend but that hasn’t happened.

"I will just keep on working hard and hopefully in the next couple of weeks I will be ready for some game time.”